Greenwich Park

Greenwich, SE10 8QY

About: The 163 acres of land that make up Greenwich Park are the former grounds of Greenwich Palace. Running from Blackheath to the banks of the Thames, Greenwich Park is the property of the Queen of England. Evidence of Saxon and Roman settlers has been found within the grounds. Henry VIII was born at Greenwich Palace in 1491. Henry VIII was a huge fan of hunting and in 1515 introduced deer to Greenwich Park- a herd still survive today. Inigo Jones was commissioned by James I in 1616 to rebuild the Palace. This became known as the "Queens House" and was the first Palladian in Britain. At the top of the gently sloping Greenwich Park are Flamsteed House and the Royal Observatory- the work of celebrated London architect Sir Christopher Wren. Every day at 1pm the red ball in the Royal Observatory drops- this was for the people to set their time pieces by. In the South of Greenwich park is the Suffolk Art collection- housed in the former park ranger's house, dating back to the seventeenth century. Greenwich Park offers fantastic views over London, and during summer months there is open air music there are children's entertainers. The North Greenwich Underground Station provides easy access to Greenwich Park from the rest of the city.